GERMAN AFFAIRS

Wairarapa Daily Times, 15 March 1932, Page 5

GERMAN AFFAIRS

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. FIRST BALLOT RESULT. BERLIN, Monday. Eighty-five per cent of tho electorate voted, and 37,660,377 votes were cast in the German Presidential election yesterday. Field-Marshal Ilindenbuig is only 168,453 short of a. cleai majoi ity, so his success at the second ballot on 10th April is regarded as certain. With the exception of those from Mecklenburg, which cannot affect the result, the following are the final official figures: —- Ilindenburg 15,415,953 Hitler 11,144,541 Thaelmann 4,924,956 Ducsterberg 2,497,860 Winter 109,292 The Rhineland, which is predominantly Catholic, gave Field-Marshal Hindenburg a. large majority. He also had an absolute majority in Berlin, where Herr Adolf Hitler was a bad third to Herr Ernst Thaelmann. It is significant that in Southern Germany,/where the Nazi movement originated, Herr Hitler polled fewer votes than Field-Marshal Ilindenburg. The President was also victorious in Westphalia, where the industrialist districts have hitherto been doubtful, and apparently at the last moment decided not- to trust Herr Hitler’s vague promises. HITLER PRONOUNCEMENT. (Received Tuesday, 10.15 a.m.) BERLIN, Monday. Ilindenburg lias formally agreed to stand at the second ballot. Speaking at Munich, Hitler said:— “There will be no half measures now. Tlie first battle is over, and I summon you to intensify the attack on the Catholic and Communist fronts. I am resuming the fight herewith. AMERICAN ATTITUDE. WASHINGTON, Monday. The outcome of the German election was received with gratification a«ong officials and Congressional leaders. Although President Ilindenburg failed to gain a clear majority, be came so near victory over Herr Hitler that his ieturn is believed to be assured. President Hoover, the Secretary of State, Mr 11. L. Stimson, and other high officials, refrained from commenting. However, it is known that the administration is anxious that _ tlie Hindenburg regime should continue, and would have viewed a Hitler victory as a distinct menace to the European situation. The general opinion is expressed that President Ilindenburg’s large vote can be construed as an indication that th n people are reta.ning their fait.i in Conservative politLal leadership.